MotoGP talent search hit by credit crunch

The quest to unearth MotoGP stars of the future has suffered a big blow with news that the Red Bull Rookies Cup calendar will be cut because of the global economic crisis.

The European series will be cut from eight races to six while the American version of the series, spearheaded by 1993 world 500cc champion Kevin Schwantz, has been scrapped completely.

A statement from Red Bull Rookies Cup organisers read: “At a time when companies the world over are bracing themselves for the effects of recession Red Bull has shouldered as much of the load as possible to cover both the technical as well as operational efforts of running the MotoGP Cup but there will simply not be enough spares and technical support available to keep the U.S. series at a high level in 2009.

“This is not a happy situation for anyone concerned. The positive is that the Rookies Cup will continue and the aim remains to give as many riders as possible the chance to progress towards the highest level of Grand Prix racing.

“Red Bull wished to thank Alpinestars and Dorna for their unwavering support in these difficult circumstances and deeply regrets the unavoidable disappointment that this brings, particularly to those involved in the U.S. Cup.”

The 2009 series will see Taylor Mackenzie compete, who is the son of former MCN British superbike champion and 500GP podium finisher Niall Mackenzie.

The revised calendar is:
May 2-3 Jerez, Spain
May 30 Mugello, Italy
June 27 Assen, Holland
July 18, Sachsenring, Germany
July 25, Donington Park, UK
August 15-16, Brno, Czech Republic